About Bolands Mills
AN OLD STORY. A NEW CHAPTER.
In 1873, local baker Patrick Boland bought two cut-stone flour milling buildings overlooking Grand Canal Dock. They quickly became a beloved Dublin landmark: Bolands Mills.
Since then, this dockside has had a makeover of epic proportions. Long a hive of industry, it’s now a place for everyone to enjoy. You’ll find a mix of food and drink, beauty and wellness, and cultural events.
Designed with accessibility in mind, Bolands Mills has new waterfront squares, streets, walkways, and plenty of places to take a load off. Find your happy place — whether it’s meeting friends by the fountain in Bolands Square, sipping coffee while the kids run free in the playground, or hunkering down with a book in a quiet spot.
Want to know what’s happening? Check back on this site for detail coming soon on public events at Bolands Mills.
1873
Local baker Patrick Boland acquires two cut-stone flour mill buildings overlooking Grand Canal Dock, establishing the iconic Bolands Mills.
1911
Bolands Mills thrives, grinding over 200,000 barrels of flour annually with 40 milling stones, making it one of Ireland's largest mills.
1916
During the Easter Rising in 1916, the buildings are famously occupied by rebel forces, led by Éamon de Valera, forever cementing their place in Irish history.
1940s
The landmark concrete grain silos are built.
2001
Production stops at the mills and the old buildings sit largely untouched for many years.
2018
Google buys the Bolands Mills development with a view to creating new Google offices and a lively destination for food, culture, and community.
2025
The site’s restoration is complete. Bolands Mills reopens, beginning a new chapter.
The Artwork
History is literally etched into the stones and landscape at Bolands Mills. The site’s place names honour famous figures from its past, while artwork tells stories of the mills’ heritage and adds splashes of colour to the docklands landscape.
Historic Map of Dublin
Carter Square features a sprawling map of Dublin etched in paving stones, depicting the city as it was when Bolands Mills was founded. The map also celebrates James Joyce – one of the most influential Irish writers of the 20th century – with quotes from his works, including one from Ulysses that references a “Boland’s breadvan”.
Dock Edge Screen by Sean Atmos
The screen at Bolands Square fuses graphic artwork from local artist Sean Atmos with perforated text from an original article in ‘The Irish Builder’, describing Bolands Mills over 130 years ago. Proposed by Gustafson Porter + Bowman, the screen functions as an adjustable windbreak while framing views in and out of Bolands Mills.
Mural by James Kirwan
James Kirwan, a Dublin-based visual artist, translated The Factory’s rich legacy of dance, theatrical, and musical performances into a vibrant feature mural that decorates the interior.